RESUMO
A cross-sectional study involving 357 females in the reproductive age group (15-44) was conducted in an urban community of Nagpur with the objective of studying the role of socio-economic factors & cytology in cervical erosion. Cervical erosion was detected in 82 (22.96%) females. Out of these mild dysplasia was seen in 9.75% females & moderate dysplasia in 2.43% females. High percentages of inflammatory smears i.e. (75.68%) were obtained in women with cervical erosion. Cervical erosion was more common in illiterate & women with low literacy status as compared to women with higher education. Majority of cases of cervical erosion (75.6%) were detected in women with high parity. A statistically significant association was found between lower socio-economic status, early age at marriage & ocurrence of cervical erosion (p<0.001 & p<0.01 respectively). The study concludes that socio-economic factors such as illiteracy and low literacy status, lower socio-economic status, early age at marriage and high parity are contributory for the occurrence of cervical erosion and regular cytological screening by Pap smear will help in early detection of carcinoma cervix and thereby reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by the same.